Monday Minute: Jesse Eberts of Walnut Grove Cruise & Travel

The Monday Minute is a weekly feature in PAX that highlights the movers, shakers, leaders and rule breakers of Canada's travel advisor community. Wanna be profiled? Wanna nominate someone? Email newsroom@paxglobalmedia.com!

Name: Jesse Eberts

Name of business: Walnut Grove Cruise & Travel

Where do you live? Abbotsford, B.C.

How long have you been a travel advisor? Eight years.

What is your specialty?

My specialties are adventure travel and cruises, including both ocean and river cruises. I have also been building our reputation as experts in expedition cruising.

What inspired you to become a travel advisor?

My mother has been a travel advisor for more than 40 years and opened her own agency in 1991. We are celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, so needless to say, travel has always been a huge part of my life.

During a conversation nine years ago, my mom mentioned that she wasn’t sure what she would do with the agency when it was time to retire. That sealed the deal for me. I thought, how amazing would it be to keep the legacy of the business she worked so hard to build in the family and carry it forward for decades to come?

What’s the first trip you ever took?

I don’t remember it, but I travelled to Portugal when I was two years old.

What travel trends are you seeing these days?

I’ve noticed clients booking cruises far in advance. The number of bookings I already have for late 2027 and 2028 is surprising.

I’ve also seen a major shift toward experiential rather than transactional travel. Clients want stories, not just destinations. They’re looking to immerse themselves in the culture, take cooking classes or workshops and explore with local guides. Expedition cruising is also exploding. We’re receiving a lot of requests for information and quotes.

What’s the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken?

I took a National Geographic Journeys tour with G Adventures to Morocco that was absolutely amazing. Our chief experience officer, Hassan, was exceptionally good at what he does. He taught us so much about his country and made sure we experienced everything Morocco has to offer.

The trip showed me how important a tour guide or leader is because they can make or break a group trip. In fact, Hassan was going to attend my wedding in 2020, but of course, we had to cancel it because of…well, you know.

Where do you see your business one year from now? 

I see my agency becoming a leader in expedition cruising. It’s a niche that I believe is important to study and develop expertise in.

Expedition cruises can be confusing. There’s a lot to know, including the best times of year to travel to see certain things, complex itineraries and air arrangements. Given the price point, clients expect us to know what we’re doing.

What’s one new skill you’ve acquired recently?

Implementing AI. There’s a learning curve, but learning how to use it to make my days easier has helped a lot. I use it for everything from social media to simple tasks such as reviewing my morning emails and identifying what is urgent.

What’s one thing you would change about the travel industry?

I would change the assumption that online booking platforms or AI have eliminated the need for human expertise. Yes, you can find a lot of information online, perhaps too much, and instantly pull up pricing for 500 hotels or trips. But an online platform doesn’t know whether a product is trustworthy or good, whether it’s in a safe location or whether the price offers good value.

When you build a relationship with clients, they trust your experience and knowledge. That gives them peace of mind. We care whether their trip goes well, and that goes beyond what an online platform can provide. I’m working to change the narrative and show that serious travellers, whether they’re booking a cruise, an all-inclusive package or a bespoke FIT itinerary, use travel curators.

What’s the secret to being successful in this business?

Clients come to agencies because they want human interaction. They want someone local whom they can trust and who cares about them. You build relationships, get to know your clients and remember the details. General advice doesn’t sell trips. Expertise and experience do.

What is your motto?

“We’ll take you there…and there!”

What is your number one piece of advice for other travel advisors?

Always remain teachable. This industry changes quickly and is constantly evolving. Just when you think you have something figured out, it changes.

Where are you travelling next?

I’m taking my brother to Greenland with HX Expeditions in August.

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